In the village of Nakorovou in Dreketi, Rewa, veteran musician Seru Serevi is embracing a well-deserved semi-retirement while continuing to grace the stage with his enduring talent. After nearly five decades in the music industry, Serevi remains active, performing three nights a week with his four-piece band at the Suva Bowling Club, alongside fellow musician Georgina Ledua. For Serevi, music has transcended mere profession and has become a lifelong commitment.
Reflecting on his passion for music, Serevi jokingly states, “I will still play until I drop dead on a stage.” His journey in music began when he was a student at DAV Boys College, where he joined a band led by the renowned Fijian singer Saimoni Vuatalevu. Even as a teenager, he captivated audiences regularly at Suva’s town hall and community venues, paving the way for a vibrant career that has seen him perform across Fiji and the Pacific.
Serevi has held long-term contracts in prestigious hotels and resorts, including the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva and other renowned destinations throughout the Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu. His lasting influence in the music scene is particularly tied to vude, a genre infused with traditional Fijian harmonies. He is a strong proponent of the idea that vude embodies the spirit of solesolevaki, emphasizing the importance of communal music-making.
As he observes changes in modern Fijian music, Serevi encourages emerging artists to expand their lyrical themes beyond heartbreak to include aspects of daily life and community narratives. Throughout his illustrious career, he has earned numerous accolades, including being knighted as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government in 1993 and winning multiple Fiji Music Awards.
His journey in music has also facilitated opportunities for a stable life for his family. “If I had another life and could choose again, I would still be a musician,” Serevi reflects. He remains undaunted by technological advances in the music industry, viewing them as part of an inevitable evolution that artists need to embrace.
A notable feature of Serevi is his long hair, which he began growing at the start of the millennium in a promise to friends after his last haircut on December 31, 1999. Recently reaching the 25-year milestone, he feels it is now time to cut his hair, marking the end of one chapter while continuing another as he remains dedicated to performing, composing, and inspiring a new generation of Pacific musicians.
With heartfelt passion and dedication, Serevi’s belief that as long as there are willing listeners, the music will continue to thrive encapsulates his enduring spirit in the world of music.
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